First responders train in Floyd County for water rescue

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WYMT) - First responders from as far away as Calloway County were in Prestonsburg this weekend for water rescue training. First responders say this training is as important as ever with recent flooding throughout the state and nation.

The only thing first responders say they can do when it comes to water emergencies is be prepared.

Chris Beaucham, with Anderson County EMS says,"People call on us at a moments notice and we have to be ready to go, because mother nature is really not predictable."

That is why first responders from throughout the state travel to Floyd County for swift water rescue training.

Calloway County Fire and Rescue Captain Eric Mitchuson says, "We need every bit of training we can get, so we can help everybody else....got to be prepared."

Instructor Nee Jackson says, "Everyone is experiencing flash flooding. As we speak in Boulder, Colorado they went from drought conditions and no water in waterways to a foot of water in less than 24 hours. Those folks are experiencing something that they would not of even thought about."

It is situations like these, that first responders want to be ready for.

John Durr, Anderson County EMS says,"Have a lot of creeks that rise very quickly, they will shut down roads, sometimes will make it inaccessable for houses and sometimes we aren't able to get to those people."

"A lot of people cross moving water in their vehicles so we have to be able to get out to them or if they get away from their car we have to be able to throw a rope and catch them," says Beaucham.

First responders in the class say they now will be prepared should any of these situations occur.

"Water is a dangerous thing and taking this course has really prepared us for the absolute worst," says Beaucham.

They say this training is necessary for their jobs. "When something happens if we have to answer a call right now...we have to be trained to do it, because if we aren't trained nobody else is going to do it," says Jackson.

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